Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

This week we dive into the mysterious kingdom of fungi with infectious enthusiasm and scientific precision. Our conversation with ecologist Aishwarya Veerabahu takes us on a journey from underground mycelial networks to the emerging world of mushroom-based alternatives to animal products. The unique perspective bridges the gap between ecological understanding and animal rights, demonstrating how our relationship with the fungal world connects to broader questions of environmental ethics and compassion for all living beings. This episode explores: The fundamental differences between fungi and other kingdoms of life, and how mushrooms are just the “fruit” of the larger fungal organism How fungi are essential for life on Earth through their role in decomposition and nutrient cycling The growing industry of mushroom-based alternatives to animal products, from meat substitutes to luxury mycelium leather The threats to fungal biodiversity from animal agriculture and deforestation The joys and precautions of mushroom foraging, with practical advice for beginners ABOUT OUR GUEST Aishwarya Veerabahu is a fungal ecologist, doing her PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. When she’s not doing research or looking for mushrooms, she’s drumming for her band Big Slide.  We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In a world seemingly drowning in sordid headlines, Jasmin and Mariann take a refreshing dive into some genuinely positive developments for animals. From chimpanzees finally escaping laboratory confinement to plant-based milk options becoming more accessible in schools, this episode serves up a welcome plate of good news with just enough irreverent commentary to keep it real. The hosts navigate through victories both small and significant while acknowledging that even in our deeply divided times, most people actually agree on one thing: the treatment of animals in our food system isn’t something anyone truly wants when faced with the unvarnished truth. This episode explores: How activist pressure finally forced NIH to transfer chimpanzees from shuttered labs to sanctuary after years of unnecessary “storage” in terrible conditions A surprising silver lining in the “whole milk bill” that will require schools to provide plant-based milk options upon parental request—no doctor’s note needed Jamie Oliver’s unexpected endorsement of tofu as a “superfood” after visiting Okinawa, Japan, where it’s consumed at nearly every meal The groundbreaking seven-floor exhibition “Why Look At Animals” at Athens’ National Museum of Contemporary Art that boldly confronts animal agriculture The rapid expansion of vegan fast-food chain Mr. Charlie’s, proving ethical businesses can thrive while maintaining principles like hiring unhoused individuals and paying above minimum wage RESOURCES Finally Free! Alamogordo Chimps Find Sanctuary at Last Take Action to Release Chimpanzees at MD Anderson Cancer Center to Sanctuary The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Has a Surprising Plant-Based Provision Jamie Oliver Highlights ‘Important Connection’ Between Tofu And Longevity Athens Exhibition Says the Revolution Could Begin on Your Plate ‘Vegan McDonald’s’ Mr Charlie’s Announces Major Expansion We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this delightfully sardonic edition of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan takes us on a whirlwind tour through the landscape of animal agriculture’s latest woes. From the Trump administration’s absurd lawsuit blaming California’s modest animal welfare laws (not bird flu!) for egg price hikes, to the stomach-turning news of deadly salmonella outbreaks from those same eggs, this episode showcases the industry’s spectacular talent for shooting itself in the foot. We’re treated to the comedic stylings of a dairy veterinarian desperately trying to convince us that cows aren’t “milked to death” (they’re just, you know, killed when they’re no longer profitable), and the beef industry’s Olympic-level mental gymnastics around methane emissions. As it turns out, the animal agriculture industry’s anxieties might be well-founded – their house of cards is looking shakier by the minute. Episode Highlights: Trump Administration vs. California Egg Laws – New lawsuit claims animal welfare requirements, not bird flu, caused egg price increases despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary Deadly Salmonella Outbreak – One death, 134 infections, and 20.4 million eggs recalled, with antibiotic-resistant strains complicating treatment Dairy Industry Propaganda – Veterinarian’s questionable defense of dairy practices reveals industry’s desperate attempts to reframe animal welfare concerns Methane Misinformation – Beef industry’s misleading claims about cattle methane’s climate impact exposed through flawed “natural carbon cycle” arguments We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this thought-provoking episode of Our Hen House, Mariann Sullivan interviews philosopher John Sanbonmatsu about his groundbreaking book The Omnivore’s Deception: What We Get Wrong About Meat, Animals, and Ourselves. With intellectual rigor and a touch of irreverence, Sanbonmatsu dismantles the cultural narratives that keep some people comfortably consuming animals while knowing better. From exposing the “humane meat” mythology popularized by Michael Pollan to examining the disturbing trend of wealthy women embracing slaughter as empowerment, this conversation cuts through our collective self-deception and offers philosophical pathways toward a more compassionate relationship with animals. Key Insights: The “humane meat” narrative functions as an inoculation against genuine animal ethics Many people exhibit a form of “selective psychopathy” toward animals while loving pets Our relationship with animals mirrors historical systems of domination like slavery The capitalist profit motive drives animal exploitation more than human need Women-authored memoirs about killing animals reveal disturbing psychological dynamics Sartre’s concept of “bad faith” explains how we deceive ourselves about animal suffering Martin Buber’s “I-Thou” philosophy offers a path toward genuine respect for animals The animal liberation movement needs unapologetic, fierce advocacy for justice ABOUT OUR GUEST JOHN SANBONMATSU, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, is a charismatic, internationally recognized authority in animal ethics.  He is the author of The Postmodern Prince and editor of the book Critical Theory and Animal Liberation.  His latest book is The Omnivore’s Deception: What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this delightfully chaotic episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan stumble through podcast identity confusion before diving into pressing animal rights news and media recommendations. The pair balance serious discussions about animal welfare trade policies and methane production with lighthearted moments about Jasmin’s new senior dog adoption and her “Hens Before Mens” t-shirt that sparks unexpected veganism conversations. This episode explores: How California’s misleading marketing of farm-generated methane as “environmentally friendly” is expanding nationwide, creating a dangerous climate policy loophole and a boon for dairy Thailand’s coconut industry finally taking steps to address the use of monkey labor following international pressure The UK’s struggle with animal welfare standards in international trade deals with Australia and the US Why population decline panic isn’t based in science but rather in controlling ideologies Mobile “green grocers on wheels” bringing fresh produce to food deserts in the UK RESOURCES Netflix- Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey UK farmers outraged Australian beef is selling cheaper citing lower welfare standards UK farmers have ‘nothing more to give’ as they fear govt will compromise welfare in US-UK trade deal California misleadingly markets farm-generated methane as environmentally friendly—a falsehood now exported nationwide Thai coconut industry takes steps to ban monkey labour ‘It’s easier to buy a vape than an apple’: How greengrocers on wheels could change the UK There Are Many Threats to Humanity. A Low Birth Rate Isn’t One of Them. The Omnivore’s Deception World War Zoos We Are Eating The Earth We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this week’s parched edition of Rising Anxieties, Mariann dives into the meat industry’s growing water crisis – where aquifers are disappearing faster than industry excuses. While Texas suffers floods, livestock regions face exceptional drought conditions with vital aquifers dropping several feet annually. The meat industry’s brilliant solution? Water-free animals and air-to-water technology! Meanwhile, lab-grown salmon makes a splash in Portland’s elite dining scene, and Big Ag celebrates their latest government handout in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Turns out water isn’t the only thing the industry is draining! Aquifers in Crisis: Livestock-heavy regions facing severe drought while underground water sources drop 2-7 feet annually in key meat-producing states Meat Industry’s Water Woes: Industry insider admits animal agriculture uses “unbelievable amounts of water” with dire supply chain implications Cultivated Meat: Reluctant Savior?: Meat industry publications begrudgingly acknowledge lab-grown proteins might be their only sustainable option Sustainable Salmon Arrives: Lab-grown seafood now available (if you can get a reservation) at an exclusive Portland restaurant David vs. Goliath Delusion: Animal agriculture industry hilariously portrays itself as the “underdog” against “well-funded opposition” Disease Updates: New foot-and-mouth disease strain in Turkey; experts warn against letting bird flu spread unchecked through poultry farms Big Ag’s Windfall: Industry celebrates the “One Big Beautiful Bill” with expanded payments for feed crops and animal health tax safeguards We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this spirited episode, Jasmin introduces her newest family member—a senior Chihuahua named June—while Mariann delivers both encouraging and concerning news from the animal rights world. The duo dives into Kenny Torrella’s thought-provoking Vox article about the surprising effectiveness of showing people the reality of factory farming through well-made documentaries like Dominion, challenging current conventional wisdom about animal advocacy strategies. They celebrate Mexico’s landmark ban on marine mammals in captivity and discuss Switzerland’s new meat labeling requirements, while examining the evolving landscape of cultivated meat technology and public lands protection. Episode Highlights: Dominion’s Impact: New research suggests that showing people high-quality footage of factory farming conditions can reduce meat consumption by 12.2% Mexico Makes History: Unanimous vote bans marine mammals in captivity, affecting approximately 350 dolphins Public Lands Protected: Provision to sell public lands removed from controversial legislation Switzerland’s New Labels: The country now requires labeling of meat products from animals subjected to certain painful procedures without anesthesia Cultivated Meat Progress: Advancements in pig fat cell production could transform the market Animal Welfare Act Weakened: Supreme Court decision further limits enforcement capabilities Open Rescue and Necessity: Discussion of Mariann’s law review article examining legal defenses for animal rescuers RESOURCES Can New York keep sewage sludge out of our food system? Environmental Connections on WXXI Sen. Mike Lee removes public lands provision from Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” Mexico bans use of captive marine mammals for entertainment Pig Fat Cell Production Could Transform Lab-Grown Meat Labs Once Fined Pennies, Now Not Fined At All Is it even possible to convince people to stop eating meat? From July 1, food labels in Switzerland will have to disclose whether products of animal origin involve painful practices. The Swiss federal government has approved a series of ordinances requiring the labelling of meat, eggs and foie gras. The Real Cost of Eggs Desperate Times and Desperate Measures: When Is Rescuing Animals “Necessary?” We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the latest concerns from the animal agriculture industry—and what’s concerning us about them. From beef producers lobbying for the “Big Beautiful Bill” that would allow them to pass on up to $30 million tax-free to their heirs, to the American Butter Institute’s meltdown over Country Crock’s dairy-free products, the industry’s anxieties are showing. Plus, PETA faces royal backlash after criticizing William and Kate for breeding puppies during an animal homelessness crisis, and we examine the troubling normalization of dairy farming practices through a 4-H club story that reveals how children are taught to love calves without understanding they actually need their mothers. This episode explores: How the “Big Beautiful Bill” would permanently expand estate tax exemptions to $15 million per individual, helping animal agriculture dynasties maintain generational control of land The dairy industry’s aggressive pushback against Country Crock’s plant-based “butter” labeling PETA’s criticism of the Prince and Princess of Wales for breeding dogs while shelters are full, sparking outrage in British media The concerning way children are introduced to animal agriculture through emotional connections to calves in dairy farming Why these industry anxieties might signal potential vulnerability in the animal agriculture system   We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In a groundbreaking episode of The Animal Law Podcast, we explored radical new concepts that could fundamentally transform how constitutional law treats animals. Host Mariann Sullivan welcomed Cambridge University’s Raffael Fasel and Queen Mary University’s John Adenitire to discuss their book “Animals and the Constitution: Towards Sentience-Based Constitutionalism” – a work that challenges centuries of legal tradition by proposing constitutional frameworks that recognize the inherent worth of all sentient beings. While traditional constitutions rely on the “hypothetical consent of the governed,” this revolutionary approach acknowledges that billions of sentient beings are governed by constitutional systems but have no voice in shaping them. The authors argue for a dramatic shift from anthropocentric legal structures to ones that provide “due concern” for all creatures capable of experiencing pain, pleasure, and complex emotions. Key Discussion Points: The historical evolution of constitutionalism from divine right monarchy to modern democratic systems Why sentience, rather than rationality or autonomy, should be the foundation for constitutional worth How existing animal welfare protections in constitutions worldwide fall short of true recognition The application of proportionality principles when animal and human interests conflict Practical challenges of implementing constitutional rights for domesticated and wild animals The role of micro-boards and participatory democracy in determining animal interests Real-world examples from Ecuador’s rights of nature to Switzerland’s animal dignity provisions Why this “realistic utopia” framework offers hope for incremental progress toward comprehensive animal rights This episode challenges listeners to reconsider fundamental assumptions about law, democracy, and moral consideration – making complex constitutional theory accessible to animal advocates seeking systemic change. ABOUT OUR GUESTS Dr John Olusegun Adenitire is a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London, School of Law and a Co-Director of the Forum on Decentering the Human, an inter-disciplinary research centre. He completed his PhD in Law at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge. He has held visiting research fellowships at Yale, Oxford, New York University, and Fordham University. He has published extensively on constitutional rights, discrimination law and theory, and animal rights. He teaches animal rights law, public law, legal philosophy and EU law at Queen Mary. Dr Raffael Fasel is Assistant Professor in Public Law at Cambridge University and founding Co-Director of the Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights Law. Dr. Fasel is a leading voice in animal rights jurisprudence, holding degrees from Cambridge (PhD), Yale (LLM), UCL (MA Philosophy), and Fribourg (LLB, LLM). His award-winning research earned the prestigious Yorke Prize and SNSF Ambizione grant. Recent publications include More Equal Than Others: Humans and the Rights of Other Animals (Oxford 2024), Animal Rights Law (Hart 2023), and Animals and the Constitution (Oxford 2025). Expert in constitutional theory, human rights, and animal law with visiting positions at Harvard, Yale, Oxford, and NYU. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. ********** You can listen to the Animal Law Podcast directly on our website (at the top of this page) or you can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would consider making a donation or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Don’t forget to also listen to the award-winning,  weekly signature OHH podcast — now in its fifteenth glorious year!

In this lively episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann swap stories from Vermont road trips to unexpected animal activism, all while tackling the psychological framing of veganism and celebrating rare wins for wildlife. Between family dinner dynamics and debunking anti-vegan psychology, our hosts remind us why standing firm in our ethics isn’t a “psychological prison” but rather a path to integrity. This episode explores: The grassroots fight against dog tethering in Clinton County, NY, where citizens are being silenced despite overwhelming community support A critical analysis of a controversial Veg Out article claiming vegans have higher rates of depression due to “strict ethical codes” Promising new Faunalytics research showing vegan challenges lead to 10-28% retention rates and community-based approaches show significant promise A rare environmental victory as conservation efforts halt a destructive mining project near Georgia’s wildlife-rich Okefenokee Swamp Preview of the upcoming Animal Law Podcast featuring a fascinating discussion on animals and constitutional rights RESOURCES Supporters of dog tether law not ready to give up I studied why vegans have higher rates of depression and discovered a hidden psychological pattern that’s destroying careers and relationships for everyone Tactics In Practice: The Science Of Vegan Challenges Historic land deal halts mine planned next to Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.